Facebook helps foil comic books theft

Apparently a 10-foot tall Hulk was no deterrent to a burglar who smashed a window and took several comic books at Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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When a thief smashed the front glass door and a display case at Beach Ball Comics, Anaheim, he scooped up a set of extremely valuable and rare comics. For some unknown reason he left some very valuable comics in the case behind. For example the thief overlooked this 1970 edition of the Green Lantern and Green Arrow comic book is signed by both the author, Denny O'Neil, and the cover artist Neal Adams. It is on sale at Beach Ball Comics for $1,125. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The comic book thief that smashed a glass case in Beach Ball Comics, Anaheim, left behind this 1963 first edition Avengers comic book valued at $900. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The comic book thief that smashed a glass case in Beach Ball Comics, Anaheim, left behind this 1973 Spiderman comic book that features the death of character Gwen Stacy. The comic book, worth $600, was left in the shattered case. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Early Wednesday, a burglar smashed a glass case at Beach Ball Comics, Anaheim, and scooped up very valuable comic books. Among comics the thief left behind in the case was this 1974 Spider-Man comic book that features the first appearance of the Punisher. The store has priced the comic book at $1,900. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The first DC Comics edition exclusively featuring Aquaman was published in 1962. A burglar overlooked the comic book while smashing and grabbing valuable comic books. This edition sells for $700 at Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim.. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim has hundreds of comic books catalogued by theme and published for sale at their store. Wednesday morning a thief broke the front door of the store and stole valuable editions. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Editions of The Flash comic books line a wall at Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Editions of Fantastic Four comic books line a wall at Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim has several glass cases with comic book action figures, including Batman foes Harley Quinn, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and other characters. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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In a glass case at Beach Ball Comics, Anaheim, Superman and Batman provide support for a book about them as bookends. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Beach Ball Comics, Anaheim, has hundreds of comic books catalogued by theme and published for sale at their store. Wednesday morning a thief broke the front door of the store and stole valuable editions. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim has several glass cases with comic book action figures, including Spider-Man. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim has several glass cases with comic book action figures, including two versions of Dawn. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim has several glass cases with comic book action figures, including Deadpool, right, and Hellboy, left. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim has several glass cases with comic book action figures, including a dark blue Venom. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The burglary was reported at 6:35 a.m. Wednesday at Beach Ball Comics. Anaheim police Sgt. Bob Dunn said the thief smashed a window and took several comic books. At about 2 p.m., the victim of the burglary reported that the burglar was caught in Los Angeles trying to sell one of the stolen comic books. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim has several glass cases with comic book action figures, including a sultry Vampirella. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim has several glass cases with comic book action figures, including Lady Hydra. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The Joker grins in a display case at Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim. Wednesday morning a thief stole several valuable comic books in a smash and grab burglary but was arrested by 2 p.m. that day when he tried to resell them in Los Angeles. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Electra, right, and Storm action figures are on display at Beach Ball Comics in Anaheim. Wednesday morning a thief stole several valuable comic books in a smash and grab burglary but was arrested by 2 p.m. that day when he tried to resell them in Los Angeles. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Action figures of the Justice League stand vigil in a display case at Beach Ball Comics. Anaheim police Sgt. Bob Dunn said a thief smashed a window and took several comic books Wednesday morning. At about 2 p.m., the victim of the burglary reported that the burglar was caught in Los Angeles trying to sell one of the stolen comic books. BRUCE CHAMBERS, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Anaheim police arrived and took a report while the store's owner posted a list of the stolen goods on Facebook.

Fans of Beach Ball Comics shared the bulletin on their Facebook timelines. Others alerted members of Orange County Geekdom Meetup and OC Anime groups. Even the editor of MTV Geek was apparently notified. Later in the day, the bulletin made it to bleedingcool.com, a well-known blog site about the comic-book industry.

Things turned around in a matter of hours.

About 1 p.m., Nicholas Ignacio, 30, of Collector's Paradise in Winnetka helped a man who wanted to sell two "Incredible Hulk" comics, Nos. 102 and 181.

"We immediately knew that they fit the description of two of the books that were in the list of stolen comics," Ignacio said.

Ignacio informed an employee through text message, and Beach Ball Comics' owner was alerted. Soon after, the police were aware of the situation.

Now, all Ignacio had to do was stall the man with the "Hulk" books.

Ignacio expressed interest in the books and told the man the store didn't have enough cash in the register to make the purchase.

"He was waiting, and all of a sudden, he looked up and left without saying a word," Ignacio said. "Ten minutes later an officer came in and said they had caught the guy."

Ignacio said the man had apparently gone to another store attempting to sell the books, and an employee had noted his license plate.

Seven of the stolen comics were retrieved. As of late last week, the signed Lee and Siegel & Shuster, along with two other comics, remained missing.

"I don't think people realize how connected comic retailers are," Jacka said. "It was one of the good sides of social media for once."

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